Customizable Launcher For Your Server!

[Hellgawd]

Ultimate Private Server Launcher

MMOwned Public Release, Phase 2/3
This is not allowed to be re-distributed to any other website on the internet, doing so will cause legal action to be taken. This program is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and all parts of it are copyrighted GamingEvolved.org 2007/2008, Hellgawd. As well, any copyright images included with the launcher, including the Blizzard logo and the GamingEvolved copyright image are not to be removed or edited, from part 6 of the Launcher's CC License. Now, read on!



Okay. Introducing... my ultimate customizable private server launcher!
This is meant for server administrators to download, modify to their own needs, upload the web-based portion, and then distribute to their private server players with all the correct settings pre-enabled. This is based on a guide-format, meaning there are step-by-step instructions on how exactly to set this up and use.

As well, this is NOT a modified version of Marlo's launcher, nor anyone elses. This is a launcher I developed for WoW2War (WoW2War - Home) server, and after many successful months of use by its players decided to release it to the public at MMOwned.

Step One
Step One is to download all the nessesary files. I have split the things up into basic categories and downloads, and all are downloadable directly from my GamingEvolved server. Speeds are pretty average, though can be slow at times. Mirrors are appreciated, PM me if you have any.

The core program itself download:
http://www.gamingevolved.org/WoWLauncher.rar

^ The above download rar contains the following files:

Launcher.exe (Main Application)
Launcher.ini (Configuration File)
Realmlist.Wtf (Automaticly Generated File On First Run Of Application)


OKAY, let me explain what the files do.
The launcher.exe is the main application, this is what users will click on or click a shortcut to use.

The Launcher.ini file is the file that you (the server administrator) will edit and then modify to your server's own specifications, as followed later inside this guide.

The realmlist.wtf file is automaticly generated to the settings inside the Launcher.ini file after you run the program for the first time (and the first time after any .ini changes have been made.)
This is for your users to use to overwrite their worldofwarcraft folder's realmlist.wtf. It is also used within the program for some functions, so be sure to inform your users to "Copy" not "Cut" the file if they decide to move it anywhere. (Untested - If the application will completely generate a new file on startup - cba to test it now. If you could post this, that would be great.)

Now, on to step two!

Step Two
Step two is the launcher.ini file. Here is a look at what you will see inside this file:

# Do not edit anything inside this file if you do not know what you are doing.
# This Launcher will only function properly with YOUR SERVER NAME 's default settings.
# Do not edit unless specified by a server administrator.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

[Options]
LauncherURL=WEB-INSTALLMENT URL GOES HERE
SupportURL=WEBPAGE URL FOR SUPPORT GOES HERE
PublicTestURL=WEBPAGE URL FOR PUBLIC TEST BUTTON GOES HERE
LauncherTitle=YOUR SERVERS NAME [YOUR SERVERS PATCH VERSION]
WoWExeName=C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\WoW.exe
RealmURL=YOUR SERVERS REALMLIST

Let us break it down, with details and instructions on what to do with each part.

The commented part is just so users dont tinker around with the settings. Make However, edit this part:

# Do not edit anything inside this file if you do not know what you are doing.
# This Launcher will only function properly with YOUR SERVER NAME 's default settings.
# Do not edit unless specified by a server administrator.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Change the "YOUR SERVER NAME 's" to whatever your server name. After, it should look something like this:

# Do not edit anything inside this file if you do not know what you are doing.
# This Launcher will only function properly with WoW2War's default settings.
# Do not edit unless specified by a server administrator.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Now, to the next part.

LauncherURL=WEB-INSTALLMENT URL GOES HERE

Do not change this for now - we will get to the web portion later in this guide. So for now, pass this by.

SupportURL=WEBPAGE URL FOR SUPPORT GOES HERE

Now, here, change the red text to a webpage link you would like players to go to when they need support. Aka, a live chat link, or a support forum. No spaces or anything, or you will get runtime errors.
Example:

SupportURL=http://www.wow2war.com/w2wforum/

PublicTestURL=WEBPAGE URL FOR PUBLIC TEST BUTTON GOES HERE

Here, change the red text into whatever "Public Testing" webpage link you might have. Useless for most servers, but some people wanted it so I included it. You could just link this to your main root website if you wanted.

Here is an example:

PublicTestURL=http://www.wow2war.com/

Oh my gawd, there are two edits to do in the next one.

LauncherTitle=YOUR SERVERS NAME Launcher [YOUR SERVERS PATCH VERSION]

Change the red text into your server's name, and the green text into the current server patches version. Here is an example :

LauncherTitle=WoW2War Launcher [2.3.0]

Now, this next one varies.

WoWExeName=C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\WoW.exe

This is defaulted at the most-common setup for World of Warcraft - it is reccomended to include a readme or guide so your players can change this if needed.

RealmURL=YOUR SERVERS REALMLIST

Change the red text here into whatever your server's realmlist is, for example:

RealmURL=http://wow2war.servegame.com

Whew! Wasn't that difficult? Anyways, now onto the next portion of the guide. (In next post because of character limit)

This is not allowed to be re-distributed to any other website on the internet, doing so will cause legal action to be taken. This program is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and all parts of it are copyrighted GamingEvolved.org 2007/2008, Hellgawd. As well, any copyright images included with the launcher, including the Blizzard logo and the GamingEvolved copyright image are not to be removed or edited, from part 6 of the Launcher's CC License. Now, read on!

[Hellgawd]

Okay, the guide continues... NOW.

ALL WEB FILES REUPPED! DOWNLOAD HERE:
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting

Step Three
Step three is to setup the first part of the web-portion of the launcher. This requires a web-host and some basic html knowledge.

Here Is The Current Web Launcher News For WoW2War (Example!!) Click

First, download all of the launcher web files (Seperated Into Categories, For Easier Reference During Future Guide Parts)

Core Launcher Web Files Click here To Download!
Includes:
index.html
images/blizzard.gif
images/bullet.gif
images/copyright.gif
images/murlocbg.jpg
images/murlocbg2.jpg
images/p.gif
images/thumb_forum.gif
images/thumb_murloc.gif
images/thumb_sundial.gif
images/titlebar_community.gif
images/titlebar_news.gif

Those files listed above should give you a very basic, working launcher. However, it will be displaying WoW2War's news, events, and links at the time of this release. The images and such in the basic package will be both the "core images" aka titlebars, the 'p', copyrights and logos. However, other things like the thumbs and backgrounds, need to be customized in a photo editor (we recomend photoshop cs2/cs3.) The index page needs to be fully scanned thru and links/urls/text entries changed to fit your own servers news. This requires basic html knowledge, or someone who will do this for you. (I will not do this for you. )

I have done some work in photoshop for you guys, and have created some more files that should help your image editing and news-launching. Enjoy.

___________________________________________
Core Background Image
http://www.gamingevolved.org/corebackgroundimage.rar

This image is a adobe photoshop cs2 image that is a very very basic background you can edit and use for whatever your needs. Have fun.
___________________________________________

Extra Thumb-Nail Icons
http://www.gamingevolved.org/extrathumbs1.rar

This package of thumbnails is the first in my extra collection (more to come soon!) that you can use and edit to your needs. Includes the following thumbnails:

Tauren Druid
Halloween Pumpkin
Gold
Ogre
And... Boobz! (Don't Ask, It Was A Server Event... Lulzor)

___________________________________________

Class Renders
http://www.gamingevolved.org/class_renders.rar

This package is a series of Pre-BC class renders (sorry, will upload the BC races soon. ) that can help you when designing icons and backgrounds for the launcher, as well as many other images used in web-design. Enjoy.
All high-resolution. Fairly large file.

____________________________________________

Premade Launcher Backgrounds
http://www.gamingevolved.org/premadebgpack.rar

Here is a collection of blizzard-ripped backgrounds, all titled appropriately. This is the first of many premade background packs. Enjoy!!

_____________________________________________

Icon Template
http://www.gamingevolved.org/icontemplate.rar

Here is a very useful icon-template, can be used for your world of warcraft website or more specificly, to design thumbnails for the launcher web interface. Enjoy - I created all of the premade thumbnails and default thumbnails using this photoshop template.

_____________________________________________

Advanced Background Template
http://www.gamingevolved.org/webbackgroundtemplate.rar

A highly-advanced photoshop template, with titled layers. Based off of the "Murlocia Background", this should aid when creating more advanced launcher interface backgrounds. Refer to the example page (Click to see how the advanced background looks and feels.

----MANY MORE PREMADES AND TEMPLATES TO COME!----

Step Four:
Now that you have successfully designed and created your launcher web page, now find a free-web host (or your own dedicated) to host it. I will let you do this on your own. However, there is one final step to do.

Now that your web-portion is completely ready and uploaded to the webserver, now go back to the launcher.ini and edit the following line:

LauncherURL=WEB-INSTALLMENT URL GOES HERE

Change the text in red to the url of the web package. It should look something like this:

LauncherURL=http://www.gamingevolved.org/wow/w2w.html

Step Five:

Release your launcher to your players and game masters! See how much they enjoy it and use it to check the latest news!

Remember to say something in the thread about what you think, and if you liked it or not. If you use it, tell us! Feedback is wanted.

-Sincerely, Hellgawd.


Guide Part 3 will be a detailed html editing guide, with fully coloured guide on editing the "index.html" web page.





This is not allowed to be re-distributed to any other website on the internet, doing so will cause legal action to be taken. This program is licensed under the Creative Commons License, and all parts of it are copyrighted GamingEvolved.org 2007/2008, Hellgawd. As well, any copyright images included with the launcher, including the Blizzard logo and the GamingEvolved copyright image are not to be removed or edited, from part 6 of the Launcher's CC License. Now, read on!

[Hellgawd]

Reserved Post for phase three, which will be posted in a few days.

[BrantX]

well great guide except i had little help hosting it but you helped me out with it

Here is what my launcher turned out to be like




+rep you when i get the chance

[Hellgawd]

BrantX, Looks absolutely STUNNING. Excellent job!
Thank you for leaving the copyright intact.

Edit: Brant, I can design a Arthas thumb for you , if you woud like. (To replace the murloc one.)

[BrantX]

BrantX, Looks absolutely STUNNING. Excellent job!
Thank you for leaving the copyright intact.

Edit: Brant, I can design a Arthas thumb for you , if you woud like. (To replace the murloc one.)

[Acespades]

Member since 07-22-2007,157th member of MMOWNED

How are you the 157th member?

More like 87,360th

[BrantX]

How are you the 157th member?

More like 87,360th

Woops counted from the a-z :P

[HumanAlien]

thx man

[Hellgawd]

Tsk tsk Leecher. :P Contribute some.

[C.C.]

Nice Job,Hellgawd +Rep

-Richmen6

[Hellgawd]

Thanks Richmen!

[hellspawn933]

Having some trouble with this i uploaded all the images and the index to my web host but it just shows up with the links and text but none of the images its all white no backround no copyright no nothign when i fcheck my error log it says file does not exist any ideas?

[hellspawn933]

Alright my friend and i messed around with it and fixedit but for some reason the copy righ tlogo aint there

[HerosBladeX]

NICE dude thats insane